Axially compressing type tire bead breaker



H. ca. TWIFORD 2,825,395

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AXIALLY COMPRESSING TYPE TIRE BEAD BREAKER m l o II; In

March 4, 1958 Filed May 15, 1954 INVENTOR.

Harr y 6f Tw/ford ATTORNEYS March 4, 1958 H. e. TWIFORD 2,825,395

AXIALLY COMPRESSING TYPE TIRE BEAD BREAKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1954 .EIIIIIII IN VEN TOR. Harr y 61 TM ford ATTORNEYS March 19 8 H. G. TWIFORD 2,825,395

AXIALLY COMPRESSING TYPE TIRE BEAD BREAKER Filed May 15, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTOR.

. 0 7 BY Harry G 7'wl ford ATTORNEYS United States Patent 6 AXIALLY COMPRESSING TYPE TIRE READ BREAKER Harry G. Twiford, Denver, Colo.

Application May 13, 1954, Serial No. 429,566

6 Claims. (Cl. 157-428) This invention relates to tire mounts and more particularly to tire mounts adapted to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of pneumatic tires on a vehicle wheel.

In general, the tire mount of the invention comprises a table for holding a vehicle wheel in optimum position for manipulation, and which automatically centers the wheel on the table when the wheel is secured thereto. The tire mount provides means for permitting the operator to perform all mounting and dismounting operations from a single position adjacent the device. The tire mount provides an automatically centering tire bead breaker which can efiectively be operated by one man A single tire tool is provided, which, in conjunction with the tire mount may be used to easily and quickly mount or dismount substantially any tire which may be mounted on the table, and which permits one man to perform all operations required.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tire mount which requires a minimum of lifting of a vehicle wheel to place it in optimum position for manipulation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tire mount which automatically centers a wheel when so cured thereto and which locks and unlocks the wheel thereon with a simple lock arrangement.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine which permits an operator to perform all the manipulations thereon from one position adjacent the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which requires a minimum of floor and work space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bead breaker which one man can operate with little difficulty, and includes toggle jaws on the breaker to reduce the possibility of damage to the tire casing by applying pressure on the tire bead instead of the tire sidewall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tire mount which requires a minimum number of tools in the operation thereof, and provides a double-ended tire tool adapted to facilitate mounting and dismounting tires ona vehicle wheel, and tire tool, further, serves as a handle for the bead breaker.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tire mount which is simple to operate and simple to maintain and repair.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tire mount machine which has an automatically centering bead breaker for centering the breaker jaws onto th two heads of the tire, and break both beads in a simple operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readilyascertained by referring to the following description and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the tire mount showing a wheel and" tire, in cross section, in position thereon;

Figure 2' 'is a cross sectional elevation of. a detail of the tire lock and table rotation mechanism;

Figure 3 is a detail in cross section of the lock mechanism in open position;

Figure 4 is a detail of the lock mechanism in locked position;

Figure 5 is a cross section detail of the table lock, taken along section 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional detail of the table rotational mechanism taken along section line 66 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a detail view of a bead breaker in operation after starting the breaking of a bead of a tire;

Figure 8 is a detail of a bead breaker in final position after breaking the head of a tire;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the mounting and dismounting tool according to the present invention; and

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the tool illustrated in Figure 9..

In the device illustrated in Figure 1, the tire mount comprises a base 10 and an upright main support tube 12 which is securely fastened to the base. The base, as shown, consists of three parts bolted together and bolted to the floor to provide a solid mount for an upright tube. However, the base may be made of a single piece or of as many pieces as may be deemed necessary for any particular application. A wheel table 14 carried on a table support 16, is mounted on the upper end of the main support tube 12. Preferably, the table is covered with a rubber to prevent marring of a vehicle wheel placed thereon. The wheel table 14 is adapted to rotate in one direction only, as will be more fully explained with reference to the construction of the lock and rotation mechanism for the wheel. A breaker mount 18 is pivotally supported on the main support tube, and the breaker mount rests on a counterbalanced spring 20. A washer 22 is provided between the spring and the breaker mount for unhindered rotation of the mount on the support tube. Extending laterally from the main support tube from the mount 18 is an upper breaker Way 24 and a lower breaker way 26. Reciprocally mounted on the two breaker ways is a breaker frame 28. A bead breaker 30 is supported from the breaker frame in an upright position and in a position to be associated with a. wheel 31 and a tire 32 disposed on the mount. The breaker frame 28 is reciprocable on the two breaker ways for placing the bead breaker 30 in position for use with the various sizes of tires which may be mounted on the table. An automatic breaker lock, described in detail below, is provided for the breaker frame 28 which permits free movement toward the main support tube, but locks the device against movement outwardly on the breaker way. A stop may be provided to prevent accidental removal of the mount from the ways. The breaker lock must be manually opened to permit the breaker frame to be moved outwardly toward the open end of the ways 24' and 26. Grease cups 35 are provided on the breaker mount clamp to reduce friction and provide for free rotation of the clamp on the main support tube. The head breaker comprises a pair of pincher-aetion breaker jaws including an upper breaker jaw 36 and a lower breaker jaw 38. Rim stops 40 and 42 are provided at the outer extremity of the jaws 36 and 38 respectively for stopping inward movement of the jaws after the head has broken to prevent damage to the tire. A toggle jaw 44 is pivotally secured adjacent the rim stop 40 on the upper breaker jaw and a toggle jaw 46 is pivotally secured adjacent the lower rim stop 42 on the lower breaker jaw. A push link 48 and a tension link 50 are secured through a series of linkages to a handle 52, which has a handle socket 54 at the outer end thereof. The various linkages of the breaker jaws provide a tremendous mechanical advantage so that a slight force exerted The wheel is secured in place on the wheel table by means of a center post 56 which passes through the hub hole in the wheel into the interior of the mainsupport tube where a clamp arrangement, which is actuated by means of a clamp down pedal 58, securely holds the center post in the main support tube. The center post has a wheel clamp 60 secured near its upper end, and the wheel clamp is adapted to'rest on the edge 37 of the hub hole of the wheel to clamp the wheel in position. The wheel clamp has three triangular shaped lugs 61, which form a frusto-conical section for centering the wheel on the wheel table when the center post is pulled tight against the wheel. An anvil or handle support 62 is provided at the upper end of the center post to aid in the use of tools for removing the tire from the Wheel. A tire tool may be rested either in a freely rotatable cradle 63 or hook 65 mounted-on center post 56 to provide leverage. The center post67 is pulled down and locked in position by the downward movement of the clamp down pedal 58, andthepedal is locked in down position by means of a clamp down release pedal 64 operating on a retainer rod 66. When the clamp down pedal is in down position, it may be released by pushing the clamp down release pedal to release its grip on the retainer rod.

A lug pin 68 is secured to the table support by means of a roll pin 70, to permit pivotal movement of the lug pin. The lug pin is tapered to fit into the lug holes of the wheel to prevent rotation of the wheel relative to the. wheel table. The lug pin. may also be spring-loaded so as to press tightly against the lug hole of the wheel, and thus, insure a tight fit when the wheel is seated on the table. A tight, secure fit of the lug pin in the lug hole minimizes damage to the lug hole when heavy forces are applied to rotate the wheel, or stop the wheel, etc. A lug pin thus in place provides for no, relative motion between the wheel and table or rotation of the both wheel and table together. The lug pin alsoprovides for holding the Wheel in position on the wheel table so that the center post does not have to be drawn down so tightly as to prevent movement therebetween, and damage the wheel thereby.

The wheel clamp lock system and the table rotary mechanism is shown in detail in Figures 2 through 6. The wheel clamp lock down system comprises a clamp' down rod 70 which extends from the table support 16 to the clamp down pedal 58. The clamp down rod is secured to the clamp down pedal by means of a clamp down yoke 71, which is secured to the clamp down pedal by means of a pin 72. A clamp down pedal clevis pin 73, provides means for pulling the rod downwardly when the pedal is pushed downwardly. A clamp down spacer rod is secured to the clamp down rod by means of a nut 74 at the top of the rod. To prevent accidental removal of the nut, caused by rotation of the table, the nut should be drilled and cotter pinned. 'An upper bearing seat 76 is.

threaded onto the lower end of the spacer rod 75. The upper bearing seat 76 is seated on an oil tight bearing 77, to permit free rotation of the spacer rod and upper bearing seat 76. The oil tight bearing 77 is seated on a center bearing seat 78 which in turn seats on a resilient bearing washer '79.

taking up shocks, etc. The rubber bearing washer seats on a lower bearing seat 80 which in turn rests on a bearing seat retainer ring 81. The ring 81 is secured to a clamp down cone 82. The cone 82 seats on a lift spring 83 which is secured in position in the main support tube 12 on lift spring roller pins 84. The lift spring 83 holds the lock assembly in uppermost position in the main tube against the lower end of the table support 16 when the center post 56 is not in position in the tire mount. Telescoped within the clamp down cone is a clamp down retainer 85 which has a series of openings 86 around the bottom thereof. Juxtaposed in each opening is an hourglass shaped clamp down roller 87 which is retained in The resilient washer provides 'means for.

place by means of a clamp down roller ring retainer 88 seated on a clamp down retainer cap :89, which is held in place by means of plural screws 90 engaging the retainer 85. The clamp down retainer 85 is maintained in place adjacent the table support by means of a clamp 7 down retainer spring 91 which seats on the center bearing seat 77. When the clamp down pedal 58 is depressed, the clamp down rod 70 is pulled downwardly pulling the clamp down cone 82 downwardly so that the cone face Q2 of the cone engages the clamp down rollers '87, to force the rollers against the center post 56, as indicated in Figure 4. Onreleasingthe clamp down pedal, the clamp down cone is forced back up against the table sup port 16 by the action of the lift spring 83, and theclamp down retainer is likewise forced back against the table support by'means of the clamp down retainer spring 91, as indicated in Figure 3. The hourglass shaped retaining rollers are shaped to provide a substantial line, or area contact between the rollers and the center post 56, so that there is a large hearing area on the center post for a secure lock. While the drawings, indicate four retaining rollers, any number may be utilized which may be required to adequately hold the center post. ample, six rollers have been found to besatisfactory in holding a center post for machine adapted foruse with When the table is rotated counterclockwise, following the arrow as shown in Figure 6, the cylindrical rollers ride against the face 102, but when the rotation is reversed, that is clockwise, the cylindrical rollers wedge against the sloped surface 103 and the inner surface of the main support tube. This wedging action completely locks the tableqfrom rotation in a clockwise direction.

The locking action is accomplished in a minor fraction 1 of a single revolution of the wheel table While ball bearings may be utilized in the same manner as the cylindrical rollers, the cylindrical rollers are preferable as they provide a larger area of contact with the wedging surfaces so that there is less possibility of scoring and denting the surfaces when the wheel is violently rotated clockwise.

The wheel .table may be completelylocked against rotation in either direction by means of a rotary lock handle 105.which moves in and 'out of register with a series of sockets'or holes 106 in the periphery of the table support immediately next to the rotary lock handle. To facilitateoperation of the rotary lock, the handle is maintained under spring tension which aids in forcing the handle inwardly to register with one ofthe peripheral holes 106 adjacent thereto. The rotary lock handle, is

reciprocally secured in a rotary lock cap 116-whichis boltedto a rotary lock base 107. A rotary, lock spring 108 is retained between the cap and a rotary lock washer 109 which is secured to the handle 105.. A rotary lock roll pin 110 retains the rotary lock handleout of-register of the peripheral holes lflfirex'cept when thehandle is rotated to the position where the pin registers with theslot in the base 107 topermit the handle to move inwardly and engage one of the slots 106. 1

The tire tool illustrated in Figure 9 comprises a shaft which may be ahollow tube or a solid cylindrical bar as may be desired. As illustrated, the shaft is a tubular member into which is swedged a mountinghead and a demounting head in the opposite ends thereof. The mounting head comprises a base 121. which is swedged into the tube 120 and an S-shaped double hook head 122 secured thereto. An inwardly curved hool123 is mounted on one side of the base 120 and an outwardly For ex- 7 5 eurved hook 124 is mounted on the other side of the base at about 180 from the inwardly curved hook. The demounting head comprises a flat pry 125 having a slightly curved upward end 126 and an upwardly extending boss 127 remote from the end of the pry. While the shaft 120 may be made of substantially any material which is strong enough to withstand the stresses to which the mounting tool will be put, it is preferable that the mounting and demounting heads be made of bronze or similar type material. As vehicle wheels, made to accommodate a pneumatic tire, are made of steel, it is preferable to have bronze mounting and demounting heads, as bronze is a natural bearing material for steel. In the use of the mounting and demounting tool the heads are in actual rubbing contact with the rim of the wheel and the bronze provides a bearing which does not require lubrication or the like, and will not mar the wheel during operation and will not seize thereon. The mounting and demounting tool is made in one piece to facilitate the use of the machine with a minimum nurnber of tools, and it is preferable to have the shaft of the tool to be strong enough to act as a handle for use in the handle socket 54 of the breaker jaw. Tubeless safety tires require a substantial force to break the beads from the wheel, therefore the shaft 120 should be strong enough to withstand the force which may be applied by several men to the handle of the breaker jaw.

In the operation of the tire mount, a wheel and mounted pneumatic tire is lifted onto the table, and any lug hole of the wheel is placed over the lug pin 68. The face of the table may be covered with a medium durometer rubber so that the damage to the wheel will be minimized. The wheel is placed flat on the table, and the tapered lug pin fits the lug hole tightly so that there will be no movement between the wheel and the table. The center post and wheel clamp assembly is then placed through the hub hole in the wheel and down through the hole center of the table into the lock assembly in the main support tube. The sloping sides of the wheel clamp project into the hub hole and tend to center the wheel around the post and on the table. By depressing the clamp down pedal, the clamp down roller engages the center post pulling the assembly downwardly moving the wheel centerwise of the table and ultimately locking the center post in the assembly. The wheel is centered with a very small amount of shifting, and only a small amount of pressure on the foot pedal is required to center the Wheel and to clamp the center post into locked position. The rod 66 and clamp down assembly 64 serves as a mechanism to hold the wheel clamp in its clamped position. Prior to mounting the wheel on the table, the breaker clamp is moved out of the Way so that the wheel can be easily lifted onto the table without interference from the breaker.

The valve is removed from the valve stem of the tire, and after all air has been released from the tire, the breaker mechanism is swung around to any convenient location and the jaws thereof are pushed in position to circumscribe the tire. The counter-balanced spring olfsets nearly the entire weight of the breaker so that little or no effort is required to place the clamp in approximate bead breaking position on the tire. With the bead breaker in approximately the correct height for breaking the bead of the tire, it is slid forward on the breaker ways so that the jaws encompass the tire. After the jaws of the breaker pass the high part of the tire, the handle should be depressed to cause the jaws to move together toward the tire. By moving the jaws together in such a manner the breaker may be moved forwardly without much danger of overshooting the rim and having the toggle jaws pass beyond the rim into the wheel portion. The toggle jaws are brought up to the rim to fit snugly against the inner section of the side wall and the wheel rim in a position where they will not slip over the rim but will slip in between the rim and the tire.

senses With the toggle jaws in position, depressing the handle forces the toggle jaws in between the rim and the head so that further movement of the handle downwardly causes the toggle jaws to bear on the bead rather than on the sidewall of the tire. The toggle jaws are pivotally secured to the end of the breaker jaws to provide a small movement of about a half an inch at the end of the toggle jaw. This permits the toggle jaw to move in under the rim to ride and bear on the bead of the tire rather than :on the tire sidewall. The first movement of the handle forces the toggle jaw beneath the rim as indicated in Figure l, and further movement causes the toggle jaws to move toward each other breaking both beads at the same movement. The movement of the handle is continued until the rim stop 49 and the rim stop 42 rest respectively on the upper and lower rim of the wheel, at which point both beads of the tire are broken away from the wheel at the point between the breaker jaw and for a distance on each side. Since considerable force will be required to break the head from most wheels, the tire tool is inserted into the handle socket 54 to provide added leverage in the operation of the breaker. Movement of the handle breaks both beads of the tire away from a wheel with one easy movement.

By revolving the breaker counterclockwise while the breaker is closed, opening the breaker and revolving it clockwise to its original position, the Wheel can be rotated any desired amount. In this manner the operator may break the bead of the entire wheel while standing in one spot. As the wheel table will only turn in one direction, there is no danger of the operator moving the table back and forth in one position without actually rotating the wheel. If the breaker is clamped in position on the tire, the Wheel table will only rotate counterclockwise. The breaker must be released from the tire to move it clockwise back to its original position.

In breaking the beads of a tire, the jaws should be closed until the hooks or rim stops come to rest against both rims. After the rim stops have closed on both rims, further pressure Will have no effect on breaking the bead, but will only cause damage to the wheel or to the breaker. Operating the handle until the stops rest on the rim pro.- vides a positive break of both beads over a segment of the rim.

After the bead has been broken away from the wheel on both sides, the breaker is pulled back along the breaker ways out of the way of the tire for the demounting operation. The tire tool which has been used as a handle in the breaker is removed for use in the subsequent demounting and mounting operation.

Rubber lubricant or soap is then applied to the tire a short distance clockwise from the point at which the tool 126 is to be applied. The demounting end of the tire tool 126 is hooked under the upper head of the tire on the side of the wheel opposite the position of the operator. The tool is pushed under the head so that the bead rests on the upper side of boss 127. By prying downwardly, toward the operator, on the tire tool, the upper bead is lifted over the rim. The tire tool is brought down along the right side of the center post, operators right as facing the center post. By pushing the tire tool in a clockwise direction against the center post, a segment of the upper head is lifted over the wheel As the pull is clockwise the wheel will not rotate, and the bead will be pulled up along a segment. By rotating the wheel counterclockwise the wheel is moved to position where the operator may lift another segment of the head over the rim without moving his position in respect to the wheel. This operation .of lifting the bead over the rim is continued until the entire upperbeadis lifted over the rim of the wheel. If there is a tube in the tire, it is re moved at this point. If the tire is to be removed entirely from the wheel, the demounting nd of the tire tool .is similarly pp d n er the lower tire head, that is with the boss 127 hooked under the lower head of the tire.

1 from the tire mount.

demounted. This demounting step is easily accomplished due to the fact that the wheel rotates counterclockwise, and when the tire tool is pulled clockwise, the tendency of the tire to rotate clockwise is stopped by the retaining -means, which permit only counterclockwise rotation of the wheel. When the lower bead is removed from the wheel, the tire may thenbe removed from the tire mount.

The casing is placed back on the wheel in a similar manner to its removal, except that the mounting head is used in place of the demounting head. In the case of mounting the casing on the wheel, the mounting head is hooked, by means of hook 123, over the rim of the wheel,

and the lower bead of the tire is forced under the. rim. The tire is placed on the wheel in a tilted po-si-.

tion so that the bead on the side of the wheel opposite the operator is below the rim and below the mounting tool. By moving the mounting tool clockwise, the lower bead of the tire is forced under the rim of the wheel. The wheel is rotated counterclockwise to bring a new segment of tire into position for forcing the bead under the rim with the tire mount. Afterthe lower bead is placed over the rim of the wheel, the tube is then placed in the. casing and the valve stem is pulled through the valve stem hole in the wheel. The upper head of the tire is then forced over the rim in a similar manner to the placing of the lower bead over the rim of the wheel. With the upper and lower beads on position on the wheel, and with the tube inside, the rotation lock handle 105 is released to lock the wheel in locked position. With the wheel locked, the tire may be rotated sufliciently to center the tube in a position to permit the valve stem to protrude through the hole at right angles to prevent damage thereto. With the wheel in this locked position, the casing may be readily moved on the wheel to permit centering of the valve stem'without removing the wheel The rotary lock is provided for any other operation that requires that the wheel be held stationary without rotation. The wheel may be locked in position by turning the rotary handle topermit it to drop into a hole 106 on the table support into locking position, and is simply unlocked by pulling the rotary lock outwardly and rotating it so'that the rotary lock roll pin 110 seats on the rotary lock base which holds the handle in open position. After the tube is'squared in the casing, it is filled with air, and the Wheel may then be removed from the tire mount;

p The wheel is removed from the tire mount by releasing the Wheel clamp, which is.accomplished by pressing the clamp down release pedal to release its holding action on the rod, so that the clamp down rod is released and it returns, under spring pressure, back to original position. The clamp down cone, likewise,-returns to its position against table support as does the clamp down retainer. The center post may then be removed from the tire mount, and the tire lifted ofi the table.

The single direction rotation of the table permits all operations to be performed by the machine operator from one positionnext to the machine. The high mechanical advantage tire bead breaker, which breaks both the upper and lower tire beads away from the wheel rim in one motion, permits one man to break the beads of most tires which are found on vehicles on the highways of the country. The machine, likewise, permits one man to'perforrn all the operations required for mounting and demounting a tire from a ,wheel and from a single position on one side of the machine. The machine,therefore, can be mounted ina corner or next to a wall without interfering with the operation of the machine. This provides a; considerable saving in floor space required by the machine and a -considerable saving of the space required in the manual operation of the machine. The machine requires only about one-fourth the floor space required by other machines in which the operator must walk completely around the machine to perform all operations in mounting and demounting a tire from a wheel. Likewise, the amount of motion required by, the operator in the performance of the duties of mounting and demounting a tire is substantially decreased. With a machine of the invention, the'operator is no longer required to walk around the machine, all operations being performed from one side of the machine, and all the operations maybe performed equally as well from any side of the machine. Thus, the machine to be placed in any convenient location in the garage or filling station where it is to be used,

rather than taking up valuable space from the middle of the floor.

While the breaker jaws are provided with a high. mechanical advantage so that a-great amount of force may be applied to the tire beads for breaking them from'the rim, the toggle jaws provide a simple and efiicient device for slipping between the rim and'the bead to providea bearing directly on the bead itself rather thanon thesidewall of the tire. In this way, the toggle jaws not only provide an extra advantage in freeingthe bead from the rim, it provides the further advantage of bearing directly on the head to prevent damage to the tire sidewall and break the bead more efiiciently along the bead as well as the part directly under the toggle jaw. The rim stops in conjunction with the toggle jaws insure that both beads of the tireare broken by the one movement of the handle.

If one bead breaks, first, that jaw moves quickly to the rim, as the broken side is the point of least resistance, and when the'rim stop hitsthe rim, the opposite jaw will then move inwardly so that the other bead then receives the major force being applied by the jaws. The rim stops thus insure breaking both beads on any full clamping action.

In mounting and demounting tire casings from a vehicle wheel it is advantageous and in some cases imperative, to lock the bead breaker on the breaker ways. A simple and efficient lock is illustrated in Fig. 1. The lock comprises a breaker lock 130 which is pivotally mounted on the breaker frame 28 by means of a roller pin 136, and

encompasses the breaker way 24. The breaker lock has a hole therethrough which. loosely fits the breakerway 24, but which grips the way 24- when moved to an angle to the way. A spring mount 131 urges the look into locked position on the way 2 k A trigger 132 secured to the lock and a handle grip 133 provides means for re leasing the lock. The trigger may be locked in open position by moving it toward the grip so that notch 134 aligns with and drops over handle extension l35. The

grip aids in moving the breaker along the ways as it applies the moving force substantially parallel to the ways. The trigger and grip mechanism provides means for easy locking and unlocking the breaker look, as well as for moving the breaker in correct position. a

With tires, for example safety tires, the bead very tenaciously holds to the wheel rim, and a considerable force is required to break the bead. The. force exerted moves the toggle jaws, andthe breaker, away fromthe head as the tire sidewall gives permitting movementoi the breaker. To prevent such back movement, the breaker lock is provided which positively retains the toggle jaws in position on the bead. 1, a

While the invention has been described with reference to specific illustrations, there is no intent to limit the injawed bead breaker pivotally connected to said support, means for maintaining said breaker in position on the bead of a held tire on operation of said breaker, the jaws of said breaker adapted to circumscribe a major portion of a pneumatic tire, means including an interconnecting link for moving said jaws of said breaker toward and away from each other, the outer ends of said jaws acting as rim stops to prevent complete closing of said breaker when engaged with a wheel, and toggle jaws pivotally secured to said jaws adjacent said rim stops and adapted to slide under the rim of a wheel and bear on the beads of said tire during closing of said jaws.

2. In a tire mount a table adapted to hold a pneumatic tired vehicle wheel, a support for said table, releasable means for securing a vehicle wheel to said table, a counterbalanced jawed bead breaker pivotally connected to said support adapted to center with a tire on operation of said breaker to break both tire beads on a single movement of said jaws, the jaws of said breaker adapted to circumscribe a major portion of a pneumatic tire, lock means for maintaining said breaker in bead breaking position, operating handle means linked to said jaws, the outer ends of said jaws acting as rim stops to prevent complete closing of said breaker when engaged with a wheel, and toggle jaws extending inwardly of said rim stops and pivotally secured to said jaws adjacent said rim stops and adapted to slide under the rim of a wheel and bear on the both beads of said tire during closing of said jaws.

3. A tire mount comprising a wheel table arranged to horizontally support a pneumatic tire wheel by its hub portion with the rim of the wheel substantially unhindered, a support for said table, lock means co-operative with said support for releasably holding a pneumatic tire wheel centerwise of said table, and a counterbalanced jawed bead breaker assembly rotatably secured to said support and arranged to substantially simultaneously break both beads of a tire from the rim of a held wheel pointwise thereround, said breaker assembly including lateral support means arranged to permit free radially inward movement of the bead breaker to engage the head of a held tire and prevent outward movement thereof on operation of the breaker.

4. A tire mount comprising a wheel table, a support for said table, means cooperative with said support for releasably holding a pneumatic-tire-bearing wheel on said table, and a counterbalanced jawed bead breaker rotatably mounted on said support including toggle jaws adapted to bear on the bead of a tire pivotally secured on said support adapted for progressively breaking both beads of the tire from a wheel at progressive positions therearound, said breaker including lateral support means arranged to permit free radially inward movement of the breaker to engage the beads of a held tire and prevent outward movement thereof on operation of the breaker.

5. In a tire mount, a table adapted to hold a pneumatictired vehicle wheel with its rim substantially unhindered, a support for said table, means for securing a vehicle wheel to said table, and counterbalanced bead breaker means pivotally connected on said support for automati cally centering on said tire on operation of said bead breaker so as to loosen said tire from said wheel, said breaker including lateral support means arranged to permit free radially inward movement of the breaker to engage the beads of a held tire and prevent outward movement thereof on operation of the breaker.

6. A bead breaker for removing a pneumatic tire from a wheel comprising a pair of clamping jaws arranged to move directly toward and away from each other and linked to a jaw opening and closing handle, means for maintaining said jaws in position on the head of a held tire on operation of the breaker, a toggle jaw pivotally secured to the end of each jaw and adapted to slide under the rim of a wheel on closing movement of said jaws and bear on the adjacent tire bead, the outer end of each jaw acting as a rim stop to prevent complete closing of the breaker when engaging a wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,336,916 Osterhage Apr. 13, 1920 1,385,948 Norlund July 26, 1921 1,809,169 Kennedy June 9, 1931 2,178,101 Hatch Oct. 31, 1939 2,189,683 Schultz Feb. 6, 1940 2,333,880 Ohlsen Nov. 9, 1943 2,471,642 Moltz May 31, 1949 2,481,926 Henderson Sept. 13, 1949 2,505,172 Coats Apr. 25, 1950 2,534,950 Butterfield et al Dec. 19, 1950 2,607,403 Patterson Aug. 19, 1952 2,609,038 Henderson Sept. 2, 1952 2,695,659 Athmann Nov. 30, 1954 

